The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 270 (Part 1)
This extra was long, so I’m splitting it~ Don’t worry though, updates for Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star is now 3x a week! Whoot!
Translated by Pure
Extra 6.1 The Enigmatic Dream - Merely a Mirage?
A gentle spring breeze wafted through the air. A rare occurrence after a heavy downpour as the sun, shining brightly, lent its warmth to the scene, while the wind brushing against the skin carried the lingering essence of winter mingled with the gentle touch of spring.
Amidst this serene backdrop, a soft sound reverberated. Swiftly passing through the burgeoning branches, an arrow adorned with golden threads struck the bullseye with precision, embedding itself firmly into the target.
Mu Yang, who had just assumed his stance with bow in hand, tossed aside his bow and arrow and protested, "Brother Xi, you're cheating again! How could you do this to me!?"
Chi Jingxi regarded him with an amused expression. "Didn’t you suggest competing with me? And now that I've hit the bullseye, you're calling foul play?"
Mu Yang fumed, "You hit the bullseye three times in a row, and I didn't even get a chance to fire a single arrow. How's that fair?"
"You were the one who claimed the last shots didn't count, and now you're blaming me?" Chi Jingxi relinquished his bow to a nearby servant. "Let's cease the competition, lest you accuse me of unfair play once more."
Mu Yang interjected hastily, "Wait, wait, I haven't even taken a shot yet!"
Chi Jingxi cast a glance at him. "Who tossed the arrow to the ground just now?"
Mu Yang promptly instructed the servants to retrieve it. "I can just pick it back up again, no problem."
"Yang'er, while there are countless weapons in the world, if you have a fondness for bows and arrows, you should treat them with care and respect," Chi Jingxi advised, motioning for the servant to hold his bow and arrow. The servant then handed him a snow-white brocade handkerchief, which he used to gently wipe the sweat from Mu Yang's forehead. "It's acceptable in my presence, but in the future, remember not to discard your weapon casually in front of others. It will protect you until the very end."
Chi Jingxi regarded him, visible earnestness was discernible within his youthful eyes when he asked, "Do you comprehend?"
"Yeah, I know, Brother Xi," Mu Yang replied, glancing at the now-bent sword in his hand and suddenly broke into a chuckle.
His fair complexion was marred with dirt, and a sharp weapon had left a gash on his right cheek. Blood mingled with mud, clotting in the wound. His armor showed signs of wear and tear, and a dull ache throbbed in his left rib, a lingering reminder of a previous injury that had yet to fully heal.
Mu Yang ran his muddy fingers along the blade of the sword.
This double-edged sword had been a gift from General Mu before he departed from Shao Jing. As he left, he ruffled Mu Yang's hair affectionately, a hint of concern in his frown. "Make sure you return in one piece, you unfilial son."
At that moment, Mu Yang was tearful, his tears mingling with snot as he clung to his father's sleeves. He vowed solemnly, "I promise!"
The once formidable sword, capable of cleaving iron, now bore the marks of countless battles, its blade warped and worn from the lives it had taken. Mu Yang muttered to himself, "I am indeed an unfilial son."
During a routine patrol, Chi Jingxi's troops encountered an unexpected enemy ambush. Forced to seek refuge in the mountains for days without communication, Chi Jingxi's absence sparked worry. Mu Yang, anxious for his safety, led reinforcements to search for him. However, they unwittingly fell into an enemy trap and found themselves surrounded, prompting Mu Yang to lead the rest of his soldiers deeper into the mountains to evade them.
Amidst days of relentless fighting and continuous retreats, the number of soldiers under his command dwindled rapidly. With dwindling supplies and hunger gnawing at their strength, morale sank lower with each passing day. The toll of casualties mounted, leaving many unable to continue. Mu Yang recognized the grim reality: there was no escape from their dire predicament.
The enemy's encirclement tightened with each passing moment. Pushing forward would only lead them into the jaws of the enemy. Instead, Mu Yang chose to make a stand here and fight to the end.
Despite his multiple injuries, Mu Yang remained resolute, standing tall amidst the chaos.
The soldiers, battered and weary, turned their eyes to him. "Major General Mu..."
Mu Yang's sudden smile illuminated the grim surroundings, reminiscent of his arrival in Yibei. Always cheerful and talkative, he never seemed to tire.
His smile, which exposed his white teeth, radiated boundless vitality.
Full of passion and energy.
"Soldiers of Shao Jing," Mu Yang's voice echoed, "You've faced numerous trials. Now, follow me one last time."
The soldiers rose, echoing, "Major General, we, the young men, are soldiers. We've trained tirelessly to defend our country, ready to fight and shed blood when duty calls."
Mu Yang nodded, his tone firm, "Listen closely. This may be our final battle. There's no turning back."
"At home, you may be fathers, husbands, elder or younger brothers," Mu Yang's gaze swept over the crowd, "But right now, you are the pride of Shao Jing Nation. In the face of enemy invasion, you are the vanguard, the shield that defends our land."
"Are you ready to fight for Shao Jing Nation until the very end?"
Mu Yang stood tall, his bright eyes gleaming with determination.
It was in that moment that the soldiers realized that the young man who had once been carefree, always seeking adventure and causing mischief upon his arrival in Yibei, had truly matured.
His demeanor now bore the seriousness and resolve of General Mu, a testament to the iron will coursing through his veins.
"We swear to follow!" the soldiers shouted, their red-rimmed eyes brimming with determination.
Mu Yang lifted his sword, his smile unwavering. "Then hold your weapons tight and never let them go."
In the thick fog of the forest, soldiers clashed, their battle cries echoing through the trees. Blood stained the mist a vivid red, but as the fighting ceased, the sounds of nature resumed. Amidst the rising and setting sun, the mountains stood unchanged.
Chi Jingxi emerged from the fallen leaves, his typically composed expression replaced by one of panic. He meticulously scanned the ground, examining each corpse with great care, fearing to overlook any detail.
Soldiers nearby carefully unearthed the bodies from the soil, their sorrow evident as they laid their fallen comrades side by side.
Amidst the solemn scene, the distant cry of a bird mingled with the subdued sobbing, echoing through the mountains and lingering in the air.
Chi Jingxi spotted Mu Yang beside a dense tree, his form half-kneeling on the ground with his sword tightly gripped in his right hand. The blade, half-buried in the earth, was coated with blood trickling down and pooling upon it. Leaning against the tree, Mu Yang's head hung low, his hair lightly brushing against the short grass, now stained crimson.
Chi Jingxi halted, hesitant to approach any further.
Suddenly, an unknown bird emitted a loud, drawn-out cry filled with endless sadness.
Chi Jingxi watched the scene before him, his vision gradually blurring. Subconsciously, he reached up to touch his face, but found nothing there. Opening his eyes, he saw the dimly lit roof above him.
Rising from the bed, he pulled back the blanket and called out, "Servant."
The servant walked in and half-knelt on the ground, "General."
What time is it?"
"General, it's mid yin-shi(3-5 am)."
Chi Jingxi glanced out the window, "The sun has not risen yet."
The servant lowered his head. "General, would you like to rest a little longer?"
Chi Jingxi shook his head and rose from the bed. "Chaoge is just ahead. Wake up the soldiers, reorganize them, and let's depart immediately."
He retrieved a white ribbon from the wooden stand beside the bed, deftly tying it around his left wrist. Grabbing another, he secured his long black hair, then donned a robe as white as snow, draping a thin layer of black gauze over it.
With his arms outstretched, two soldiers approached to secure his armor around his body and affix his sword to his waist.
Chi Jingxi donned his boots, completing his attire.
His expression remained stoic, and the servants around him dared not make any unnecessary noise. Once their tasks were complete, they bowed respectfully and quietly exited the room, leaving him in solitude.
Despite his naturally charming appearance and smiling eyes, Chi Jingxi's choice of attire, black gauze over white garments, lent him a solemn air. It was akin to a white lotus blooming in the frost of the twelfth lunar month, exuding a chilling elegance.
Despite his youth, the soldiers surrounding him never dared to overlook him, showing him utmost reverence and respect.
A few months ago, an epidemic surged through Chang'an at an alarming rate. Within days, numerous individuals, including Marquis Chi, fell victim to the plague. In response, Chi Jingxi issued a firm decree to seal all exits in Chang'an. He deployed a sizable military contingent to enforce the blockade, ensuring that no one could enter the city from outside, and no one could leave.
This stringent measure provoked public outcry, leading to widespread unrest in Chang'an. Numerous clashes erupted among the militia, fueled by mounting anger and frustration.
Chang'an was densely populated, and when the antidote for the plague was finally distributed, Chi Jingxi's parents fell victim to the epidemic. Tragically, he himself became the most reviled figure in Chang'an City.
Once admired as Chaoge's illustrious Little Marquis, unrivaled in his generation and the object of everyone's admiration, Chi Jingxi was now viewed as a malevolent presence, despised and loathed by all.
Wherever Chi Jingxi went, he faced insults and scorn. Once, while walking outside the city, an eight-year-old child splashed muddy water at him and cursed, "Mom said you're the evil spirit who caused harm to your own parents, a traitor to the country and the people! You're not welcome here!"
Chi Jingxi met the child's gaze with eyes as cold as snow. He brushed off the grass cuttings from his clothes without uttering a word, as if the insults held no significance to him.
On the journey from Chang'an to Chaoge, every town, county, and village Chi Jingxi passed through fell under his control. The soldiers, accustomed to mere target practice, couldn't stand against the seasoned officers and soldiers who had faced countless battles in the northern deserts. Their weapons, intended more for intimidation than actual combat, clashed with swords stained with the blood of countless battles. Naturally, the soldiers had no choice but to surrender.
The new emperor ascended the throne, and it was the Seventh Imperial Prince, a figure previously unknown to the world, who assumed the mantle. Despite his several months of reign, he was met with widespread skepticism.
Among his numerous imperial brothers, the Seventh Imperial Prince had never distinguished himself in literature, martial arts, or military strategy. His ascension to the throne was largely attributed to the formidable influence of his mother's clan and the untimely deaths of two direct lineage princes, rather than his own merit.
The internal and external power struggles within the court continued unabated, with many eagerly watching the new emperor, hoping to find a flaw that would justify his removal from the throne.
Chi Jingxi found himself at the forefront of this turmoil. Leading his elite soldiers and horses from Chang'an to Chaoge, he aimed his sword directly at the throne, a force impossible to resist.
Chi Jingxi's inner thoughts remained inscrutable to all, including the soldiers who constantly surrounded him, none daring to pry into his mind.
His handsome face remained cold as frost, devoid of any hint of a smile. He preferred solitude, spending most of his time alone. Even in the midst of tactical deployments and actions, his words were concise and direct, never superfluous.
In the hearts of all the soldiers, he was both their general and a stranger.
As the group of soldiers and horses journeyed since dawn, nearing Chaoge City with each passing mile, the scenery grew increasingly familiar to Chi Jingxi. Perhaps a fleeting thought crossed his mind, softening his gaze as he recognized the terrain before him.
In sight of the enduring city of Chaoge, Chi Jingxi commanded the group to make camp.
The soldiers, well-versed in their duties, swiftly erected the tents, while Chi Jingxi retired to his own tent, where he remained for the rest of the day.
